KINGMAN – Attorneys and Judge Billy Sipe completed plans for a Lake Havasu City man’s murder trial next month during a March 2 final management conference. Angel Caldera, 22, is charged with second-degree murder for the death of his teenage roommate nearly a year ago.
Arnell Bell, 19, suffered multiple gunshots last May 17 following an argument at Caldera’s residence in the 2500 block of McCulloch Boulevard.
Police reports reveal Caldera was blunt and candid when he reported the shooting to police dispatch and a subsequent communication with officers. Caldera indicated the deadly dispute evolved over his attempt to evict Bell for failure to comply with compensatory terms of their rental arrangement.
“He did not want to get out and he started to punch me, so I shot him,” Caldera told dispatch. Caldera told officers that Bell pulled his shirt over his head during the scuffle.
Caldera conceded that Bell was unarmed when he fired 13 rounds from his Glock .45, fatally wounding the victim who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Court was informed that a self-defense contention will be employed at trial by Caldera lawyer Jonathan Robinson.
Attorneys informed Judge Sipe that about ten current and former Lake Havasu City police officers will testify at trial, along with various civilians and a pathologist with the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Nine jurors, including one alternate, will be selected and seated for at start of the three-day trial on April 23. Conviction would expose Caldera to as many as 25 years in prison.
